SR-22 Insurance: What It Is, What It Costs, and How to Get It (2026)

An SR-22 isn't insurance — it's a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you carry the state's minimum required coverage, typically after a DUI, reckless driving conviction, or driving without insurance. The filing fee itself is small; the real cost is the high-risk premium that comes with needing one. For the full situational breakdown, see our special situations pillar guide.

What an SR-22 actually costs

How long you need to carry one

Most states require continuous SR-22 coverage for 3 years after the triggering offense, but this varies:

• Georgia and Kansas: 1 year
• Ohio: up to 5 years
• Most other states: 3 years

Letting your policy lapse during this window typically restarts the clock and can trigger a new license suspension — continuous coverage matters more during an SR-22 period than at almost any other time. See our how long accidents stay on your record guide for how this window interacts with your broader insurance history.

Not every state uses an SR-22

Eight states don't require an SR-22 at all: Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania — they use other mechanisms to verify financial responsibility after a serious violation. Florida and Virginia use a different form called an FR-44 instead, which typically requires higher liability limits than a standard SR-22.

Where to get one

Not every insurer files SR-22s. Progressive and GEICO are among the major carriers that commonly do; The General specializes in high-risk drivers specifically. See our best car insurance for DUI drivers guide for carrier-specific pricing on this exact profile — it's worth shopping multiple insurers, since the SR-22 filing itself is simple, but the underlying high-risk premium varies significantly by carrier.

What actually drives the cost

The filing fee is nearly irrelevant to your total cost. What matters is the violation that triggered the SR-22 requirement (a DUI carries a much larger surcharge than a lapse in coverage), your state (SR-22 premiums range from roughly $2,100/year in Idaho to over $5,500/year in California for comparable profiles), and your insurer's specific high-risk pricing model, which varies more between companies for this profile than for almost any other.

Frequently asked questions

Is SR-22 a type of insurance?+

No — it's a certificate your insurer files with the state confirming you carry the state's minimum required coverage. It's proof of insurance for a high-risk driver, not a separate insurance product.

How much does SR-22 insurance actually cost?+

The filing fee itself is small, typically $15 to $50. The real cost is the high-risk premium that comes with needing an SR-22, which can run $1,800 to $5,600 or more a year depending on your state and the violation that triggered it.

How long do I need to keep an SR-22?+

Most states require 3 years of continuous coverage, though Georgia and Kansas require only 1 year and Ohio can require up to 5 years. Letting coverage lapse during this window typically restarts the requirement.

Do all states require an SR-22 after a DUI?+

No — 8 states (Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania) don't use the SR-22 system, and Florida and Virginia use a different form called an FR-44 instead.